The 10 Best Bluetooth Receivers For Cars
This wiki has been updated 15 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Most modern cars come equipped with Bluetooth that seamlessly syncs with digital devices, but older vehicles can also benefit from wireless connectivity by using one of these receivers, which connect via an FM transmitter, USB port, or auxiliary input. They will provide you with the convenience of music playback, virtual assistance, and hands-free phone calls without having to upgrade your stereo. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
July 06, 2020:
Technology moves fast nowadays, and with devices, software, and industry standards constantly being created, reviewed, and improved, it is hard for both consumers and industries to keep up with the flow of innovation. Bluetooth has been around for a while, having made its debut in mainstream technology in the 1990s as a wireless standard that integrated with mobile products and synced them with fixed devices. Such was its success, that it was only a matter of time before a requirement was identified for using this versatile invention within our vehicles.
Even today, some cars and aftermarket car stereos are not built with Bluetooth as standard, and many older vehicles predate this innovation, so car owners that wish to benefit from this technology require a compatible Bluetooth stereo or a wireless receiver such as those ranked here. These benefits include listening to music while eradicating the clutter associated with wired connections, the improved safety and legal compliance of making hands-free phone calls while driving, and in-stereo directions from a phone's satellite navigation. There are two main distinctions between the types of Bluetooth receivers listed, and these are those that are plugged directly into a stereo's auxiliary input, and those that transmit over an FM radiofrequency.
Those that connect directly to the car stereo include the Mpow BH129, Ziidoo Audio Adapter, Anker Soundsync A3352, and the Kinivo BTC450. The main benefit of these models is that they are less likely to suffer from static interference, but one drawback, with the exception of the Kinivo BTC450, is that they each have an integral battery that requires charging and may lose power during use.
Alternatively, you can opt for an FM transmitter that receives the Bluetooth signal from a device and sends it to a corresponding empty radiofrequency. These include the Nulaxy KM19, Imden Car Kit, Nulaxy KM29, VicTsing BH346A, and the Anker Roav T2. One benefit of these is that they offer USB-3 or USB-C outputs for quickly charging devices, as well as multiple input options, such as SD card, USB drive, 3.5-millimeter auxiliary, and, of course, Bluetooth. While they may have issues with the aforementioned static interference on occasion, on the whole, they offer a compact, handy, and versatile solution.